Tut mir leid.
[toot meer lyte]
I am sorry.
Literal gloss:“Does to-me sorrow.”
When to use:Safe across both Sie and du settings because no personal pronoun restricts it.
Word-by-Word Structure
| German | Meaning | Grammar Note |
|---|---|---|
| Tut | does (from tun) | — |
| mir | to me (dative) | — |
| leid | sorrow / sorry | Spelled lowercase in "leidtun" |
Example Sentences in Context
Apologizing for a delay
Es tut mir leid, ich habe mich um zehn Minuten verspätet.
I am sorry, I am ten minutes late.
Showing sympathy
Das tut mir wirklich leid zu hören.
I am really sorry to hear that.
Natural Alternatives
- Das tut mir furchtbar leid.Neutral
Stronger heartfelt apology
- Bitte entschuldigen Sie das Missverständnis.Formal (Sie)
Formal email/work apology
Common Replies You Will Hear
- Schon gut, kein Problem.Neutral
All good, no problem.
- Das kann jedem passieren.Neutral
That can happen to anyone.